Rap career:
Mos Def began his performing career on the television show The Cosby Mysteries in 1994. In 1994, Mos also began his music career, forming the short-lived group Urban Thermo Dynamics (UTD) with his younger brother DCQ and his younger sister Ces. Despite being signed to Payday Records, the group only released two singles and the group's debut album, Manifest Destiny, did not see the light of day until 2004 when released through Illson Media. In 1996 he emerged as a solo artist, working with De La Soul and Da Bush Babees before releasing his own first single, "Universal Magnetic" which was a huge underground hit. After signing with Rawkus Records, he and Talib Kweli released a full length album under the band name Black Star, entitled Black Star. It was released in 1998, with Hi-Tek producing most of the tracks. Mos Def released his solo debut, Black on Both Sides, in 1999. Filled with tracks raving about his hometown, Brooklyn and his love for Hip-Hop, Black on Both Sides also deals with racial profiling of Black men in America, with the track Mr Nigga. Mos Def was also featured on Rawkus' influential The Lyricist Lounge and Soundbombing series compilations. After the collapse of Rawkus, Def along with Kweli signed on to Interscope/Geffen Records, who released his second album The New Danger in 2004. In early 2005 Mos Def was rumored to join Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella record label, but this was later denied by the artist himself claiming "Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella would never allow me to release songs I plan on putting out there. I ain't down with that commercial non-sense. I'm about to deal with the fake with my next album, from George Bush to 50 Cent." But, after making that comment, Mos Def was featured rapping on a SUV commercial, endorsing the GMC Denali. Mos Def is projected to release his last solo album on Geffen Records, The Undeniable Free Flaco in early 2006. His 4th studio album The Ecstatic was released June 9, 2009 on Downtown Records. It serves as Mos Def's second highest charting album to date. Upon its release, The Ecstatic received general acclaim from most music critics, and it earned Mos Def a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Album. Rolling Stone magazine named it the seventeenth best album of 2009.
Impact on hip-hop
The artistic boundaries of hip-hop and rap music had been redefined by artists such as Brand Nubian, De La Soul, and Public Enemy, whose music was more thematically sophisticated and socially conscious than that of their predecessors. By the early 1990s however, this brand of rap had been eclipsed in popularity by gangsta rap. Socially aware rap music (alternative hip hop) has experienced something of a renaissance in the late 1990s and now the 2000s, in part due to artists such as Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, The Roots and others. "Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are … Blackstar" Mos Def's collaboration with Talib Kweli was released during the aftermath of the deaths of 2pac and The Notorious B.I.G. sparking a rebirth of "aware" and "intelligent" hip-hop. Def's music often references his Islamic faith and his contention that black artists receive little credit for their role in the birth of rock and roll music.
On Mos Def's 2004 album The New Danger, the rapper took his penchant for experimentation to a new level. Most of the songs were more hip-hop flavored stylings of Blues and Rock, with few actual raps thrown in. This threw off fans who were expecting another full-blown rap album. The New Danger also featured the controversial song "The Rape Over", a parody of Jay-Z's The Blueprint hit "The Takeover":
old white men is runnin this rap shit
corporate forces runnin this rap shit
some tall israeli is runnin this rap shit
we poke out our asses for a chance to cash in
cocaine, is runnin this rap shit
'dro, 'yac and e-pills is runnin this rap shit...
mtv is runnin this rap shit
viacom is runnin this rap shit
aol and time warner runnin this rap shit...
quasi-homosexuals is runnin this rap shit
The lyrics would seem to have chafed with higher-placed executives, who made Mos take the song off of later releases of the album, supposedly for "sample clearance issues".
In September 2005, Mos Def released the single "Katrina Clap" (utilizing the instrumental for Juvenile's "Nolia Clap"), a critical reaction to the lack of response by the Bush administration to the Hurricane Katrina disaster. He probably chose the "Nolia Clap" instrumental because the rapper Juvenile hails from New Orleans, and the song was a hit in the New Orleans area before the hurricane.
Mos Def also collaborated with Kanye West on West's track named "two words" and appeared in the music video.
Acting career
The first years of the 2000s have established Mos Def as a notable actor. His performances in Brown Sugar, Monster's Ball, and the HBO made-for-TV film Something The Lord Made have been particularly acclaimed by critics. Having been nominated for several awards, Mos finally broke through, winning Best Actor, Independent Movie at the 2005 Black Reel Awards for his portrayal of Sgt. Lucas in The Woodsman. He also landed the role of Ford Prefect in the long-awaited 2005 movie adaption of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Notably, in 2002 he played the role of Booth in Suzan-Lori Parks' Topdog/Underdog, a Tony-nominated and Pulitzer-winning Broadway play. He has also been a musical guest and participated in many skits on Comedy Central's Chappelle's Show.
In 2004, he hosted the MOBO awards in London, after the original presenter, Pharrell Williams pulled out at the last minute.
He has been the host of the award-winning spoken word show Def Poetry Jam since its inception. The show's sixth season aired in February 2007.
Discography
* 1998 Black Star (released with Talib Kweli under the name Black Star) Priority Records
* 1999 Black on Both Sides Rawkus Records
* 2004 The New Danger Geffen
o nominated for Best Urban/Alternative
Performance, 47th Annual Grammy Awards
* 2006 True Magic
* 2009 THE Ecstatic Downtown Records
* 2010 Mos Dub
Selected Filmography
* Cadillac Records (2009)
* Be Kind Rewind (2008)
* Talladega Nights (2006) (a quick cameo)
* Dreamgirls (2006)
* Bobby (2006)
* The Brazilian Job (2006) (pre-production)
* 16 Blocks (2006)
* The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005).
* Lackawanna Blues (2005)
* Something the Lord Made (2004)
o nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie, 56th Annual Emmy Awards
o nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television, 62nd Annual Golden Globe Awards
* Chapelle Show (? year) - Black Delegation Rep for Racial Draft
* The Woodsman (2004)
* The Italian Job (2003)
* Brown Sugar (2002)
* Civil Brand (2002)
* Showtime (2002)
* Monster's Ball (2001)
* Carmen: A Hip Hopera (2001)
* Bamboozled (2000)
* Where's Marlowe? (1998)
In September 2011, Mos Def announced that he planned to use the name Yasiin Bey instead of Mos Def beginning in 2012.
http://www.myspace.com/mosdef
Speed Law
Mos Def Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Relax, pump the brakes
You're speeding, money
(Watch it)
You'll smash your whole shit up
Man, chill (slow down)
Lights be changing fast on these streets, money, slow down
(Watch it)
Sleeping on the wrong cats (slow down)
Clear like a megaphone
Pretty nigga heart skipped the metronome
Rocked the Trump Tower to the terrordome
Poor house to pleasure domes
Soprano, alto, tenor to baritone
Mos Def one of the illest that you ever known
Rock steady, baby, you a stepping stone
Smash your foundation into pebbles
My words leave your nerves unsettled
You take it to the next level down
Looking like a circus clown
Cats like you can't even get a pound
Worldwide from the river to lakeside
My stage show stay live, make the sound man stage dive
I cut fat cats to eight lives with my eight ball lines
I'm home 'fore I'm done with all nine
Got you shook like a fault line
Come all shine and get tarnished
Brooklyn got your pay roll garnished
They form a huddle
Whisper like they want trouble
I melt the ice grills into rainwater puddles
Make the proud-hearted leave on the humble
Black steel in the hour
Assemble my skill form my power
My poems crush bones into powder
You mumble like a coward
I'm Mos Def, you need to speak louder
Super heroes
Get your power, your masks and capes snatched
Brooklyn take what you can't take back
I know a lot of cats hate that
All I can say black
There's a city full of walls you can post complaints at
All the doubters and believers adjust your receivers
Feel it, you can taste it through the speakers
The three six original sketch lyrics so visual
They rent my rhyme books at your nearest home video
Tell them cats they need to sit back (slow down)
And observe where they at (slow down)
Brook-nahm Vietnam (slow down)
The heat is on
Put your joint on cruise (slow down)
Try to rush you scuff your brake shoes
Just cool and relax (slow down)
Take a breath, take ten paces back (slow down)
Stay on time like Omegas (slow down)
Brooklyn patrol like interstaters (just slow)
Take their license and their registration papers (just slow down)
My joint's so passionate
Make you peel out and mash your shit
Get wild cold crash your whip
Front chassis wrecked, but akh' you can't be too upset
Tow truck got my tape in the deck
I'm permanent like tattoos and birth marks
Third degree burn marks
Driving on tracks like Dale Earnhardt
Stay on the low like the herb spot
Put a big loss on your earn chart
Nice since the nurse signed my birth chart
Seldom seen but often heard, while your jams is barely heard
Just my name is a daily word
From avenues to streets, terraces and park places
Stair wells, jail cells, penthouse to basements
Arrangement basic, but still fans chase it
Y2k can't delete the true ancient
Apache war drum on the ranges
Skill level dangerous
Arrow head that killed all the cavemen
They cry John-Blazing, but step on the pavement
And get violated like a plaintiff
I ain't shit to play with
I give a Goddamn what your name is
Delete it and make it so it never get repeated
Believe it
Tell the feds, tell your girl, tell your mother
Conference call you wack crew and tell each other
That they just ain't holding me
I'm Mos Def, your hopefully
Mush off or you get bust off like a ovary
Tell them cats they need to ease back (slow down)
And observe where they at (slow down)
Brook-nahm Vietnam (slow down)
The heat is on
Put your joint on cruise (slow down)
In a rush and scuff your brake shoes
Just cool and relax (slow down)
Take a breath, take ten paces back (slow down)
Brook-nahm Vietnam
The heat is on, no off-ramp or detour
Make these gassed up jokers observe the speed law
Make these gassed up clowns observe the speed law
Make these gassed up clowns observe the speed law
'Cause they speeding, speeding, speeding, speeding, speeding
Speeding, speeding, speeding, speeding, speeding
Speeding, speeding, speeding, speeding, speeding
Relax (woo)
Slow down, you better chill, money (slow down)
Lights be changing fast on these streets, dude (slow down)
It'll smash your whole shit up (slow down)
Better cool out, money (slow down)
It ain't like that out here (slow down)
(Slow down)
Look at these cats, man (slow down), it's funny, man (slow down)
Probably just got that car (slow down)
About to fuck your whole shit up (slow down)
Speed laws out here, money (slow down)
(Slow down, slow down)
Knight riding cats (slow down)
In control like interstaters, stay the, stay the
Staters, stay the, stay the, stay the, stay the
Staters, stay the, stay the, stay the, stay the
Stay the fuck off the road, money
The lyrics to Mos Def's song Speed Law are a call to action for people to slow down and observe the rules of the road. The first verse is a warning to a driver who is speeding and risking an accident. The use of the phrase "Watch it" is repeated several times to emphasize the importance of paying attention to the road. Mos Def then goes on to touch on various topics, such as his own skill as a rapper, the danger of arrogance, and the need for humility. The chorus reinforces the message of the song: slow down, pay attention, and stay safe.
One interpretation of the song is that it is a metaphor for life. Mos Def encourages listeners to slow down and appreciate the world around them, rather than rushing blindly through life. The lyrics about his skill as a rapper can be seen as a commentary on the importance of taking pride in one's work and striving to be the best. The references to various types of music - soprano, alto, tenor, baritone - may also be symbolic of the many different voices in the world, all of which contribute to the rich tapestry of human experience.
Overall, Speed Law is a powerful message about the need to slow down and be mindful of one's surroundings. The lyrics are a reminder that every action has consequences, and that it is important to stay focused and present in the moment. Mos Def's unique style and commanding presence make these messages even more impactful, and the song has become a classic in the hip-hop world.
Line by Line Meaning
(Watch it)
Be cautious
Relax, pump the brakes
Take it easy, slow down
You're speeding, money
You are driving too fast
You'll smash your whole shit up
You will crash your car
Man, chill (slow down)
Relax and drive at a reasonable speed
Lights be changing fast on these streets, money, slow down
The traffic lights change quickly, so you should slow down to avoid getting a ticket
(Slow down)
Keep driving at a slower pace
Sleeping on the wrong cats (slow down)
Be aware of who you associate yourself with
Clear like a megaphone
My message is crystal clear
Pretty nigga heart skipped the metronome
I am cool and collected
Rocked the Trump Tower to the terrordome
I can handle anything from the opulent Trump Tower to the dangerous terrordome
Poor house to pleasure domes
I can handle extreme poverty to extreme pleasure
Soprano, alto, tenor to baritone
I have a wide range of talents
Mos Def one of the illest that you ever known
I am one of the best artists out there
Rock steady, baby, you a stepping stone
I am steady and move forward, while others are used as stepping stones
Smash your foundation into pebbles
I can ruin your entire career
My words leave your nerves unsettled
My rhymes make you feel uneasy
You take it to the next level down
Your career takes a downward spiral when you try to compete with me
Looking like a circus clown
You look foolish compared to me
Cats like you can't even get a pound
Even your peers won't give you any respect
Worldwide from the river to lakeside
My music is popular everywhere
My stage show stay live, make the sound man stage dive
My concerts are energetic and entertaining
I cut fat cats to eight lives with my eight ball lines
I defeat my opponents easily
I'm home 'fore I'm done with all nine
I can finish all my tasks quickly
Got you shook like a fault line
I intimidate you
Come all shine and get tarnished
Don't come at me with your overconfidence
Brooklyn got your pay roll garnished
You will lose everything if you mess with me
They form a huddle
They gather together
Whisper like they want trouble
They are plotting something
I melt the ice grills into rainwater puddles
I make the toughest people back down
Make the proud-hearted leave on the humble
I can humble even the most arrogant people
Black steel in the hour
My rhymes are powerful
Assemble my skill form my power
I have honed my craft and am powerful because of it
My poems crush bones into powder
My lyrics are so strong that they can defeat my opponents easily
You mumble like a coward
You are weak and cannot speak up
I'm Mos Def, you need to speak louder
I am confident in my abilities and will speak up
Super heroes
Like a superhero, I am invincible
Get your power, your masks and capes snatched
I am powerful enough to defeat even superheroes
Brooklyn take what you can't take back
I am from Brooklyn and will not back down from a fight
I know a lot of cats hate that
Many people are envious of my success
All I can say black
This is just the way it is for successful black men
There's a city full of walls you can post complaints at
There are plenty of places you can complain about me, but it won't make a difference
All the doubters and believers adjust your receivers
Everyone needs to be on the same page when it comes to my music
Feel it, you can taste it through the speakers
My music is so powerful you can feel it and taste it
The three six original sketch lyrics so visual
My lyrics are vivid and memorable
They rent my rhyme books at your nearest home video
My music is in high demand and people will even pay money to read my lyrics
Tell them cats they need to sit back (slow down)
People need to calm down and take a step back
And observe where they at (slow down)
People need to look at their situation and figure out what they need to do next
Brook-nahm Vietnam (slow down)
Brooklyn is a tough place to live in
The heat is on
There is danger in the area
Put your joint on cruise (slow down)
Relax and take it easy
Try to rush you scuff your brake shoes
If you try to go too fast, it will wear your car down
Take their license and their registration papers (just slow down)
If you keep speeding, the cops will take away your license and registration
My joint's so passionate
My music is full of emotion
Make you peel out and mash your shit
My music is so good it makes you drive recklessly
Get wild cold crash your whip
My fans are so passionate they might crash their car while listening to my music
Front chassis wrecked, but akh' you can't be too upset
Even if you crash your car, it's not worth getting upset over
Tow truck got my tape in the deck
My music is so powerful that even the tow truck driver is listening to it
I'm permanent like tattoos and birth marks
I am always going to be successful
Third degree burn marks
My music is hot and fiery
Driving on tracks like Dale Earnhardt
I am a skilled driver and always in control
Stay on the low like the herb spot
I keep a low profile
Put a big loss on your earn chart
I will make you lose money
Nice since the nurse signed my birth chart
I have always been successful
Seldom seen but often heard, while your jams is barely heard
I am popular even if I don't make many public appearances
Just my name is a daily word
My name is well-known and spoken every day
From avenues to streets, terraces and park places
My music is heard everywhere
Stair wells, jail cells, penthouse to basements
Even in unlikely places, you will find my music
Arrangement basic, but still fans chase it
Even though my music is simple, people love it
Y2k can't delete the true ancient
My music is timeless
Apache war drum on the ranges
My music is powerful and commands attention
Skill level dangerous
I am skilled and dangerous
Arrow head that killed all the cavemen
My rhymes are deadly
They cry John-Blazing, but step on the pavement
People underestimate me at their own peril
And get violated like a plaintiff
I will make them lose in a lawsuit
I ain't shit to play with
Don't mess with me
I give a Goddamn what your name is
I don't care who you are
Delete it and make it so it never get repeated
I will destroy your reputation
Tell the feds, tell your girl, tell your mother
Everyone will know how I defeated you
Conference call you wack crew and tell each other
Even your friends will know how I defeated you
That they just ain't holding me
No one can contain me
I'm Mos Def, your hopefully
I am the best, and you should look up to me
Mush off or you get bust off like a ovary
Leave me alone, or I will hurt you
Knight riding cats (slow down)
People who act recklessly will get hurt
In control like interstaters, stay the, stay the
I am always in control
The heat is on, no off-ramp or detour
You can't escape the danger around you
Make these gassed up jokers observe the speed law
People should follow the rules and slow down
Make these gassed up clowns observe the speed law
People who act recklessly should slow down
'Cause they speeding, speeding, speeding, speeding, speeding
People are driving too fast
Speeding, speeding, speeding, speeding, speeding
People are not being careful while driving
Speeding, speeding, speeding, speeding, speeding
People need to slow down
Relax (woo)
Take it easy and drive at a safe speed
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Charles Njapa, Dante Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ajesam George
on Ms. Fat Booty
https://soundcloud.com/.../sudenly-by-da-george-prod-by...